Survivors of the Baltimore Archdiocese child sex abuse scandal testified in a recent bankruptcy hearing held in federal court. The hearing took place after the Archdiocese of Baltimore declared bankruptcy following the passage of the Maryland Child Victims Act, which allows survivors to file civil lawsuits regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred.
During the hearing, six survivors shared their stories, including Teresa Lancaster, who recounted her abuse at Archbishop Keough High School by Father Maskell. The survivors expressed their frustration at the church’s handling of the abuse cases and its prioritization of avoiding scandal over protecting children. Following the hearing, Archbishop Lori offered a statement apologizing for the harm caused to the victims by representatives of the church.
The survivors have until May 31st to file their child sex assault claims against the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Many survivors have criticized the church for filing for bankruptcy, which limits the time they have to seek justice. Despite the challenges they face, survivors like Teresa Lancaster are encouraging others to come forward and seek support.
The Maryland Child Victims Act, which removed the statute of limitations on child sex abuse lawsuits, has led to a flood of lawsuits being filed against the Archdiocese. The survivors are determined to seek justice and hold the church accountable for the trauma they endured. Archbishop Lori expressed gratitude to the survivors for their courage and stated that the church is committed to ensuring that no child in their care is harmed again.
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